Future of IT at UofT: Business Analysis

Technological demands are changing at the University of Toronto (and, if you’ve been paying attention, have been changing for some time). Staff are being asked to take enormously complex systems (SAP, ROSI) and make them appear simple to users. The ease with which students and staff can interact with U of T’s technology systems (SAP, ROSI) needs to mask not only the complexity of these systems, but also an intricate web of institutional relationships and business processes.

In order for to deliver this ‘vital simplicity’, strong functional partnerships exist must across the institution.

In other words: we, as staff, must prepare ourselves to work across traditional departmental and divisional lines.

EASI Director Cathy Eberts had the following advice for a group of staff who assembled last week for a Career Spotlight session:

“The future of IT at the University of Toronto will require master architects, negotiators, and technical staff who are able to work with an array of vendors and complex technical components and can articulate how this will all fit together.”

Cathy hinted that training in business analysis will be a vital part of this future. A business analyst is someone who can translate requirements for developers, think critically about organizational objectives and ultimately ensure the value of U of T’s investment in a project.

As part of a wider effort to spread these skills to the institution, EASI/NGSIS is offering a 2-day course in key techniques and competencies of Business Analysis, with both lectures and hands-on group work. It is a practical course covering all aspects of the Business Analyst role – from requirements gathering to QA support. The emphasis of the course is on learning practical tools and techniques that can immediately be put to use in project work and in interactions with stakeholders, whether it be local to the Division or in partnership with EASI/ITS initiatives.

The workshop, to be held at 215 Huron St, 6th Floor, ODLC on August 18 -19, 2016, filled almost immediately, but interested staff can still join the waiting list (if there is enough demand, perhaps we can schedule another course). The cost of the workshop is $1000.